Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, India, near the Bandipur National Park. It is known as a place to see elephants, tigers, peacocks, deer and other animals.
Understand
[edit]Nilgiris district has been declared a plastic-free zone.
Do not feed animals. This may disrupt the ecosystem as animals will start depending on tourists for food. This can also lead to human-animal conflict
History
[edit]Mudumalai means Old mountain in Tamil.
Landscape
[edit]The terrain is hilly.
Flora and fauna
[edit]Mudumalai National Park has one of the highest density of animals in India. Teak forests are found in most of the areas of the national park.
Climate
[edit]The climate is hotter than Ooty. Some parts of Mudumalai National Park comes under Rain-shadow region. Dry weather prevails during the summer months.
Get in
[edit]The nearest city is Gudalur.
- Mudumalai is accessible via the NH - 67
- 93 km from Mysore
- 35 km from Ooty (shortest route with dangerous curves)
- 67 km from Ooty (Ooty - Gudalur - Mysore Highway)
- 3 km from Gudalur (National Park limit begins)
- 17 km from Gudalur to reach Theppakadu
Fees and permits
[edit]Tamil Nadu Forest Department runs a Tourist Dormitory (Peacock Dormitory) at Kargudi, a tribal village 3 km away from Theppakadu on the way to Gudalur.
Get around
[edit]It's good to have your own vehicle. Another choice is to hire a four-wheel-drive.
See
[edit]Visit
- Needle rock view point (10 km from Gudalur on the way to Ooty)
- frog hill view point (12 km from Gudalur on the way to Ooty)
- Chandanamalai temple (around 15 km from Gudalur in O'valley road)
- spices gardens
- genepool garden
- nature trek
Enjoy the panoramic scenery.
Singara Hydro-power station is 6 km from Masinagudi.
Do
[edit]You can go for an elephant safari there and also have a jungle safari organised by the forest department.
You can volunteer at local animal welfare charity IPAN, staying at their project or nearby in Masinagudi town.
Buy
[edit]Spices, tea dust, coffee powder, handicrafts
Hill products, honey, Eucalyptus oils Jackfruit, mango. Gudalur is best to purchase tea pockets with a cheap rate.
Eat
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Greenwoods Nature Camp, Thorapally, Mudmalai (2.5 km off Ooty Mysore Highway), ☏ +91 9620401689, [email protected]. Check-in: 11:30AM, check-out: 11:00AM. Offers accommodation, Jeep safari, camp fire, trekking. ₹750 to ₹2500.
- Jungle Home, Mudumalai Border, Thorapally, Gudalur Road (10 km from Mudumalai forest office, on the gudalur road), ☏ +91 99000 87611, +91 9448485160, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. ₹1200 to ₹2500 per person including all three meals and accommodation.
- Rockgardens holiday resorts[dead link], Mudumalai
Camping
[edit]Backcountry
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]Dangerous animals like hungry bengal tigers and bull elephants are a problem around Masinagudi, so be careful when trekking. Mosquitoes are a problem so bring plenty of repellent and wear light-coloured clothes that cover your arms and legs.
Go next
[edit]- Ooty
- Mukurthi National Park
- Mysore
- Gundlupet
- Bandipur National Park
- Chamarajanagar
- Nanjangud